What are Mercury-containing Lamps? - Environment and Natural ...

Guide to Recycling
Mercury-Containing Lamps
for the Industrial, Commercial, & Institutional Sector
1

Contents
Contents
II I
1 Introduction
2 What are Mercury-containing Lamps?
3 Why are Mercury-containing Lamps recycled?
3 Mercury (Hg) Bioaccumulates in the Environment
3 Mercury Effects Human Health
4 Government Regulations
III
4 Small Quantity Exemption
5 How are Mercury-containing Lamps recycled?
5 Staff Training
6 Storage
7 Packaging & Handling of Mercury -containing Lamps
7 Record Keeping
7 Drum-Top Crushing
8 Off-site Disposal
9 Selecting a Contractor
IV
10 What are the benefits and costs of recycling
10 Benefits
Mercury-containing Lamps?
10 Costs
11 Other Links for more information
12 Appendix I : Types of Mercury-Containing Lamps
12 Compact Fluorescent Lamps
12 Fluorescent U-Tubes
12 Fluomeric Lamps
13 Linear Fluorescent Lamps
13 Mercury Vapour Lamps
13 Metal Halide Lamps
13 Sodium Vapour Lamps
14 Appendix II : What to do when a Mercury-
Containing Lamp Breaks
March 2012

Introduction
Mercury is a contaminant and an essential
component of many lamps commonly used today.
This guidance document was developed by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(ENR) and is intended for property managers, building
maintenance staff, electrical contractors or anyone
else who handles mercury-containing lamps in the
Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) sector.
Industrial
Construction, fabrication, light and heavy
manufacturing, refineries, chemical plants, power
plants, demolition, etc.
Commercial
Stores, restaurants, markets, office buildings,
hotels, motels, print ships, service stations, auto
repair shops, etc.
Institutional
Schools, hospitals, prisons, governmental
departments, boards and agencies. I
This Guide answers the
following questions:
I. What are mercury-containing lamps?
II. Why should they be recycled?
III. How are they recycled?
IV. What are the benefits and costs of recycling?
1

What are Mercury-containing Lamps?
A typical fluorescent lamp (of any shape or type)
is composed of a phosphor coated glass tube with
electrodes at the end(s). The lamp contains mercury
and a small amount of an inert gas, typically argon,
kept under very low pressure. When an electrical
charge is applied, the electrodes energize the
mercury vapour, causing it to emit ultraviolet (UV)
energy; the reason for the low energy usage. The
phosphor coating absorbs the UV energy, causing
the phosphor to fluoresce and emit visible light.
Inside each lamp the mercury remains in a vapourstate
for proper lamp operation. III
I.
Quantities of Mercury in Energy
Efficient Lamps and Lamps with
Reduced Mercury II
Type of Lamp
Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescent U-Tubes
Fluomeric Lamp
Linear Fluorescent Lamps (LFL)*
*Mercury Reduced (LFL)
Mercury Vapour Lamps
Metal Halide Lamps
Sodium Vapour Lamps
Inside a
Fluorescent
Lamp
Avg. Amount
1-25 mg
3-12 mg
Approx. 2 mg
10-50 mg
3-12 mg
25-225 mg
25-225 mg
20-145 mg
Mercury-containing lamps can
be recognized by the universally
recognized chemical symbol for
mercury, ‘Hg’ on the lamp.
Contact
Pins
Glass
Tube
Mercury-containing lamps are used for their energy
efficiency compared to other types of lighting. They
are three to four times more efficient than nonmercury-containing
lamps and reduce the need for
fossil fuels in generating electricity. This results in a
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and overall
mercury pollution from fossil fuel burning.
The majority of mercury-containing lamps used
in the ICI sector in the Northwest Territories (NWT)
are disposed of in landfills without any recycling
or mercury collection. Recent information from
Environment Canada states that, about 10 percent
of end-of-life mercury-containing lamps are currently
recycled Canada wide. IV The use of linear fluorescent
lamps (also known as linear fluorescent tubes) is the
most commonly used mercury-containing lamp
throughout the ICI sector in the NWT.
This guide does not focus on residential sources of
mercury-containing lamps. Residential generation
of mercury-containing lamps is estimated to be less
than 15% of the total. V
Internal
Phosphor
Coating
Mercury
Inert Gas
Electrode
©2001 HowStuffWorks
The different types of mercury-containing lamps are
identified further in Appendix I.
2

Why recycle Mercury-containing Lamps?
II.
The Canadian Council of Ministers of the
Environment determined that mercury levels in fish
and wildlife across Canada warrant efforts to reduce
atmospheric and waterborne emissions derived from
both deliberate use of mercury and from incidental
releases of mercury.
Restrictions on the human consumption of fish in
order to safeguard the health of both high fish
consumers (sustenance and commercial fishers)
and sensitive populations (infants, children and
women of childbearing age) are widespread.
Some of these restrictions are derived from lakes
naturally high in mercury, others in lakes and rivers
contaminated by historical point source discharges
and still others in waters remote from identifiable
sources. Traditional lifestyles may be profoundly
influenced by mercury contamination. VI
Mercury Effects Human Health
Today, the main effects of mercury exposure to
humans are understood to be neurological, renal
(kidney), cardiovascular and immunological impacts.
Chronic exposure to mercury can cause damage to
the brain, spinal cord, kidneys, liver and developing
fetus. Exposure to mercury while in the womb can
lead to neurodevelopmental problems in children.
Mercury can impair the ability to feel, see, move
and taste, and can cause numbness and tunnel
vision. Long-term exposure can lead to progressively
worse symptoms and ultimately personality changes,
stupor, and in extreme cases, coma or death. Recent
findings have described adverse cardiovascular and
immune system effects at very low levels. VII
The Bioaccumulation of Methylmercury
Mercury (Hg) Bioaccumulates
in the Environment VIII
Mercury exists as a gas and in a range of organic
(carbon containing) and inorganic (not containing
carbon) forms that vary in toxicity and persistence
in living organisms. When atmospheric mercury falls
to earth, it may be altered by bacterial or chemical
action into an organic form known as methylmercury.
Bioaccumulation
in Organisms and
Biomagnification
in the ecosystem
Methylmercury
Methylmercury is much more toxic than the original
metal molecules that drifted in the air, and has
the ability to migrate through cell membranes and
“bioaccumulate” in living tissue. Bioaccumulation
is the process by which a substance builds up in a
living organism from the surrounding air or water, or
through the consumption of contaminated food. In
the following figure, the concept of accumulated
methylmercury is illustrated by the red dots, however
the dots are not to scale.
3

Government Regulations
The Guideline for Industrial Waste Discharges outlines
the leachate criteria for solid wastes suitable for
landfill. IX Testing done in the NWT has confirmed that
crushed mercury-containing lamps may not pass
the leachate test and therefore, are managed as
a hazardous waste. The mercury is embodied in
the vapour and the phosphor powder of mercurycontaining
lamps and the mass of the entire lamp is
considered mercury waste.
Unless laboratory results confirm the mercurycontaining
lamps meet Industrial Discharge criteria
the mercury-containing lamps need to be managed
as a hazardous waste according to the Guideline
for the General Management of Hazardous Waste
in the NWT. X All mercury-containing lamps, whether
hazardous or not, will release mercury into the
environment when broken outside of a controlled
recycling process. ENR encourages the recycling of
all mercury-containing lamps.
Small Quantity Exemption
The Guideline for the General Management of
Hazardous Waste in the NWT defines ‘small quantity’ to
which the definition of hazardous waste does not apply.
Hazardous waste that is generated in an
amount that is less than 5 kilograms per
month if a solid or 5 litres per month if a liquid;
and where the total quantity accumulated
at any one time does not exceed 5 kilograms
or 5 litres. This does not apply to wastes that
are mercury or in classes 2.3, 5.1 or 6.1 of
TDGR. These wastes must be generated in an
amount less than 1 kilogram per month if a
solid or 1 litre per month if a liquid; and where
the total quantity accumulated at any one
time does not exceed 1 kilogram or 1 litre.
Approximately 75% of mercury-containing lamps in
Canada are four-foot (T-8 or T-12) fluorescent lamps. XI
The mass of the entire lamp is considered mercury
waste and it takes approximately four of these fourfoot
fluorescent lamps to amount to 1 kg of mercurycontaining
lamps. XII
4 lamps / month = 1 kg mercury waste / month
The average life of a T8 fluorescent lamp is
approximately three years or 1000 days. XIII The rate at
which a functioning lamp becomes a waste lamp is
approximately 1/1000 days. The rate of waste lamps
generated per month is calculated as follows:
1 lamp / 1000 days x 30 days/month
= 0.03 lamps / month = 3% of total lamps.
The amount of waste lamps generated per
month represents approximately 3% of the total
number of lamps.
The total number of lamps that generate
1 kg of mercury waste per month, or 4 lamps is
calculated as follows:
Total number of lamps = 4 lamps / 3%
= approximately 130 lamps
It is understood the calculations above assume
mercury-containing lamps come out of service at a
uniform rate. In reality lamps come out of service in
non uniform rates, and at any given time a building
will generate more or less than a three percent of
the total number mercury-containing lamps. The best
practice is to recycle all waste mercury-containing
lamps regardless of the total number of lamps.
Building with Less than 130
Fluorescent Lamps (bulbs)
The owners of buildings with less than 130 Fluorescent
Lamps are strongly encouraged to seek out
recycling options for fluorescent lamps. Based on the
above approximations, a building containing less
than 130 fluorescent bulbs generates less than 1kg of
mercury-containing lamps per month. A generator
is exempt from the requirements of the Guideline for
the General Management of Hazardous Waste if the
waste generated is less than 1 kg of hazardous waste
per month.
Building with 130 or more
Fluorescent Lamps (bulbs)
The owners of a building with more than 130
fluorescent lamps are required to divert mercurycontaining
lamps from regular solid waste and
manage all these lamps as a hazardous waste.
4

How are Mercury-Containing
Lamps recycled?
III.
Lamp Recycling is Easy
Fluorescent lamps are recycled by separating the
glass, mercury, phosphor powder, and aluminum
by crushing and then capturing the mercury vapour.
There are currently no centralized facilities to recycle
these components in the NWT. Drum top crushers
may be used to crush the glass and capture the
mercury vapour in filters. ENR can loan a drum top
bulb crusher, at no cost, depending on availability of
a unit and on the condition the employer develops
a detailed safe work plan. Once the crushed lamps
have been consolidated in drums, the materials are
transported to facilities where further separation
takes place under pressure and heat before
recycling them separately. XIV It is also possible to
transport intact lamps directly to recycling facilities.
The Mercury-containing Lamp Recycling Flow Chart
(upper right) can be used to help determine details
suitable for specific facilities.
Staff Training
Prior to off-site disposal the following measures
need to be taken:
XXplacing spent lamps in a designated storage
area instead of the garbage;
XXavoiding intentional breakage of lamps; and,
XXpreparing bulbs for transportation.
Prior to off-site disposal fluorescent lamps may be
crushed on-site for volume reduction. This option
requires the employer to develop a detailed safe
work plan for the use of drum top bulb crushing
equipment. The use of drum top bulb crushers
requires careful attention to the use of the
equipment to prevent worker exposure to mercury
vapour. There is no cost to utilize the drum top bulb
crusher from ENR. See the section on off-site disposal
for further details.
Designate a Mercury-Containing Lamp Storage Area
XXAssess the mercury-containing Lamp Storage
Area and determine an accumulation limit.
XXLabel the area, (e.g.“Waste mercury-containing
Lamp Storage Area”)
XXInclude designated containers/boxes to store
the used bulbs as they accumulate.
Take Mercury-Containing Lamp Out of Service
XXStore mercury-containing Lamp in Designated
Storage Area,
XXLabel boxes with expired mercury-containing
Lamps differently from unused lamps.
XXEnsure mercury-containing lamps are stored in a
manner that prevents breakage, and close boxes.
Conduct Weekly Inspections of Storage Area
XXCheck for improperly stored bulbs or
damaged bulbs
XXContain mercury-containing lamps showing
evidence of breakage / damage. Do not try
and remove debris from the bottom of a box.
XXLeave broken lamps in box and seal the box
and store separately from undamaged bulbs
XXRecord the number of lamps in the storage area
and compare to accumulation limit
Once Accumulation Limit is anticipated, or has
been reached contact “off-site disposal option”.
5

Storage
The first step a generator of mercury-containing
lamps must take is to inform all employees about
the proper handling and procedures for damaged
lamps. Health Canada’s guidance on what to
do when a lamp breaks (Appendix II) should be
reviewed by owners and any staff handling mercurycontaining
lamps. It can also be viewed online at:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/cfl-afc-eng.php.
The normal handling of spent fluorescent lamps does
not present any health and safety risks.
The second step in recycling lamps is to divert them
from the waste stream and designate a suitable
storage area. A dedicated storage area should be
located in an area, which can be locked, away
from human traffic to prevent tampering. The area
should be dry and have good ventilation. It should
not be a general workspace. The following factors
should be considered when selecting a storage
area:
X X What type of lamps and how many are going
to be collected between for offsite disposal or
crushing operations?
X X What types and size of recycling containers will
be needed? Where should they be placed?
X X What is the accumulation limit of the
storage area or the number of bulbs that can
be safely stored?
X X How can it be kept convenient for
employee access?
Improper Storage (above) and Good Storage (below)
Packaging and Handling of
Mercury-Containing Lamps
XXDo not tape lamps together. This makes them
difficult to separate for crushing.
X X Packaging in between lamps is not required
but each box should be filled to capacity to
prevent movement.
X X Ensure the bottoms of boxes are secure and
can support the weight of the contents.
X X Do not over-pack a box or a drum so that any
movement will cause a bulb to break.
X X Do not place heavy objects on top of boxes or
individual fluorescent lamps.
X X Ensure each container is labelled to distinguish
spent lamps from unused lamps.
X X For high intensity discharge lamps or other nonstraight
lamps use any sturdy cardboard box for
storage. Wrap one sheet of newspaper around
the lamp, or slip it back into its original casing.
Be sure to put a label on the box and date it.
X X If a lamp breaks in the box or drum, leave it
alone. Do not attempt to remove the broken
lamp, or its parts, from the container. Broken
bulbs can be added to a drum of crushed glass
when available.
6

Record Keeping
It is important to keep a record of when the
accumulation limit has been reached and offsite
disposal or bulb crushing is required. The
accumulation limit is different for each facility and
depends on the size of the facility and the size of the
storage space.
Record keeping of accumulation limits can be
accomplished by following these simple measures:
XXKeep a running total of the number of spent
mercury-containing lamps placed in a storage
area by updating a list each time a mercurycontaining
lamp is added to the area; or,
X X Place the mercury-containing lamp in a specific
accumulation area and identify the earliest
date any mercury-containing lamp in the area
became a waste.
XXRecord keeping is also required for off-site
disposal. A movement document (hazardous
waste manifest) is required to track the disposal of
all hazardous wastes from registered generators,
carriers, to registered receiving facilities.
A movement document is not required if intact bulbs
are transported to a contractor for crushing prior to
transportation to a registered receiving facility. In this
case, some form of record keeping (e.g., waybill,
chain of custody, bill of lading) outlining who is in
charge, management, and control of the mercurycontaining
lamps at any given time is strongly
recommended. A movement document is required
when crushed lamps or intact lamps are transported
to registered hazardous waste receiving facilities.
ENR’s Environment Division provides movement
documents at no cost.
Drum-Top Crushing
Drum-top crushing is done using a mechanical
device that fits on top of a 205 L (45-gallon)
collection drum. Whole lamps are broken in the
system but components are not separated. The drum
will contain hazardous mercury, phosphor powder,
glass and mixed metals. Crushing lamps into drums
releases mercury into the filter. This filter medium also
becomes hazardous. Drum-top crushing can be
done safely by following manufacturer’s instructions
and developing a detailed safe work plan. The
drum-top bulb crushing machines were intended
to be used indoors in well-ventilated areas even
though there is some mercury vapour released from
the equipment while it is in operation. It is possible for
workers to become overexposed if precautions are
not followed.
If the preferred option for recycling fluorescent lamps
is on-site crushing using available staff and ENR’s
bulb crusher, a detailed safe work plan will have to
be developed. Please contact ENR’s Environment
Division for further information.
7

Off-site Disposal
There are several disposal options available to
generators of waste mercury-containing lamps.
These include:
I. Obtaining the services of a hazardous waste
contractor to remove bulbs from the building.
II. Transporting intact bulbs to a receiving facility
or contractor.
III. Hiring a contractor to crush bulbs on site and
then dispose of the crushed glass.
IV. Using a drum-top bulb crusher and arranging
transport directly.
Mercury-containing lamps may be transported as
intact bulbs, or as crushed glass in drums. There are
different labelling and paperwork requirements for
each transportation method.
Disposing of Intact Lamps:
XXMust be packaged to prevent breakage during
transport;
XXCannot be disposed of at community disposal
facilities;
XXMay be transported to contractors for crushing
before ultimate disposal;
XXDoes not need special labelling or paperwork
requirements;
XXMust confirm the lamps have been transported
to contractors who are trained to manage
mercury-containing lamps; and,
XXMay use a movement document (hazardous
waste manifest) to track the shipment between
generator and contractor or receiving facility.
Disposing of Crushed Lamps:
XXMust be packaged in sound sealable means of
containment (i.e. drums, pails);
XXMust be labelled and shipped according to
the requirements of the province or territory of
destination;
XXMust be accompanied by a movement
document (hazardous waste manifest); and,
XXMust be transported to appropriately receiving
facilities of Hazardous Waste.
Option
I
Waste mercury-containing
lamp storage area.
Contractors
receiving
facility
Intact bulbs
Option
II
Option
III
On-site
Contractors
Hazardous Waste
Receiving Facility
Option
IV
Crushed mercury
containing lamps
8

Selecting a Contractor
A range of contractors and services may be
available to the generator, depending on the
region. Some of the options mentioned in Section
II may influence the decision to use the services of
a contractor. It is important to select a contractor
who can ensure mercury-containing lamps are
effectively managed to prevent the release of
mercury regardless of where the crushing of lamps
takes place.
There are very few options in many communities to
transport the mercury-containing lamps to registered
receiving facilities. In these cases, a contractor
acts as an intermediary between a generator and
ultimate disposal at registered receiving facilities.
The Guideline for the General Management of
Hazardous Waste in the NWT states:
The generator is ultimately responsible for
ensuring hazardous waste will be properly
managed from the time it is generated
to final disposal. Waste must be properly
stored, transported, treated and disposed.
Contractors can manage waste on behalf
of the generator however, the generator is
responsible for ensuring, in advance, that the
waste management method is acceptable.
Important selection criteria to consider
when choosing a contractor include:
1. Is the company a hazardous waste
contractor?
2. Is the company a registered as a generator
carrier or receiver with the applicable
province or territory?
3. Is the contractor’s primary business suitable for
the collection of mercury-containing lamps?
4. Are they aware of applicable health and
safety as well as environmental regulations?
5. Does the contractor have a health
and safety plan?
6. What type of services does the contractor
provide (i.e. pick-up, disposal, crushing)?
7. What kind of assurances does the contractor
provide that mercury-containing lamps will be
disposed of at a registered receiving facility?
Suitable contractors may be waste management
companies, electricians, or other technical trade
people in the community. Please contact ENR’s
Environment Division if a suitable contractor cannot
be found. The Recycling Council of Alberta list of
companies that recycle mercury-containing lamps
can be found on-line at: www.recycle.ab.ca/
fluorescent-lamps-processing.
A list of hazardous waste receiving facilities in the
Alberta and British Columbia can be found online at:
XX
http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/8121.pdf
XXwww.hazwastebc.com/categories/mercury/
9

What are the benefits and costs of
recycling Mercury-containing Lamps?
IV.
Benefits
XXReduced amount of mercury released into
the environment.
XXReduced risk of occupational exposure
to mercury from crushed bulbs in disposal
containers.
XXA property owner’s positive image associated
with disposing of mercury-containing
lamps responsibly.
XX
Compliance with NWT environmental standards.
Costs
Estimated Costs of disposing of
Fluorescent Lamps
Disposal of a 205 L
drum of crushed glass
Transportation
(varies depending on community)
Cost of a drum
Total
$250
$200 Est.
$100 Est.
$550*
Each 205 L drum can contain approx. 800 4’ bulbs**
Cost of one drum = $550 / 800 bulbs
= approx. $0.70/bulb
*This estimate does not account for staff time
if crushing of the lamps is done on site or by a
contractor.
**A drum will hold a lesser quantity of lamps if
eight-foot lamps, or if compact fluorescent lamps
are crushed.
High Intensity discharge (HID) lamps are more
expensive to dispose because size reduction is not
a viable option in the NWT. Based on estimates in
the U.S., HID lamps are approximately five times as
expensive to recycle as linear fluorescent tubes. XV
10

Links to more information
ENR Headquarters and Regional Offices
Environment
Division
600, 5102-50th Ave.
Yellowknife NT X1A 3S8
Tel: (867) 873-7654
Fax: (867) 873-0221
South Slave Region
Box 900
Fort Smith NT X0E 0P0
Tel: (867) 872-6400
Fax: (867) 872-4628
North Slave Region
Box 2668
Yellowknife NT X1A 2P9
Tel: (867) 873-7184
Fax: (867) 873-6230
Dehcho Region
Box 240
Fort Simpson X0E 0N0
Tel: (867) 695-7450
Fax: (867) 695-2381
Sahtu Region
PO Box 149
Norman Wells NT X0E 0V0
Tel: (867) 587-3500
Fax: (867) 587-3516
Inuvik Region
P.O. Box 2749
Shell Lake X0E 0T0
Tel: (867) 678-6650
Fax: (867) 678-6659
WSCC Workers’ Safety &
Compensation Commission
Yellowknife
5022 49th Street
5th Floor, Centre Square
Tower
Box 8888
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R3
Tel: (867) 920-3888
Fax: (867) 873-4596
Toll Free
Tel: 1-800-661-0792
Fax: 1-866-277-3677
Inuvik
3rd Floor
Mack Travel Building
151 Mackenzie Road
Box 1188
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Tel: (867) 678-2301
Fax: (867) 678-2302
Guideline for the General Management of Hazardous
Waste in the NWT:
www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/documents/content/
General_management.pdf
GNWT 1998, Guideline for Industrial Waste Discharges
in the NWT:
www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/documents/content/
industrial_waste_guidelines.pdf
Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers:
www.almr.org/
Recycling Council of Alberta Directory Listings:
www.recycle.ab.ca/ebguide
CCME Canada Wide Standard for Mercury-
Containing Lamps:
www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/merc_lamp_standard_e.pdf
Environment Canada, Mercury and the Environment:
www.ec.gc.ca/mercure-mercury/default.
asp?lang=En&n=DB6D2996-1
Environment Canada, Technical Recommendations
Document on the Management of End-of-life
Mercury-Containing Lamps in Canada:
www.ec.gc.ca/mercure-mercury/default.
asp?lang=En&n=5CA51DB2
Natural Resources Canada’s Fluorescent Lamps -
Questions and Answers:
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/business/
manufacturers/11423
Lamprecycle.org:
www.lamprecycle.org/
11

Appendix I : Types of Mercury-Containing Lamps
Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Use: Compact fluorescent lamps are frequently used
in place of traditional incandescent
lights in the hospitality industry, offices, and home
lighting systems.
Description: Compact fluorescent lamps have
all the same characteristics as linear fluorescent
tubes, except they have been designed to
replace incandescent bulbs, which are common
in residential, commercial, industrial, and accent
lighting applications.
Identification: Compact fluorescent lamps are
similar in size to the incandescent bulb; however,
the bulb has been replaced with a coiled, compact
fluorescent tube.
Fluorescent U-Tubes
Use: Fluorescent U-Tubes are used in appliances,
ceiling fixtures, and display cases. They are useful when
fluorescent light is desired, but the available space is
too small for traditional linear fluorescent lamps.
Fluomeric Lamps
Use: Fluomeric lamps are used as replacement
lamps for incandescent systems for a variety of
applications. High-wattage fluomeric lamps have
long-burning life (up to 20,000 hours) and are ideal
for high-bay lighting applications such as industrial
lighting, repair shops, street lighting, building
facades, security lighting, billboards, and sports
arenas. Smaller lower wattage models are suitable
for schools, stores, and display lighting.
Description: These lamps are self-ballast and
produce brighter light than incandescent lamps.
No ballast, wiring, or special fixtures are required
to retrofit existing incandescent fixtures (Duro-test
lighting, 2003).
Identification: Fluomeric lamps are not very
distinguishable from regular incandescent
lamps. They can be clear, white (frosted colour),
and reflector flood (aluminum reflector with a
frosted face). Product labeling and packaging
should be examined to determine whether the
lamp is fluomeric.
Description: Fluorescent U-Tubes have all the same
characteristics as linear fluorescent tubes, except
they take up half the space of a comparable
linear fluorescent.
Identification: Fluorescent U-Tubes can be identified
by the distinct U-shaped fluorescent tube.
12

Linear Fluorescent Lamps
Use: Fluorescent lamps are commonly used to
illuminate offices, stores, warehouses, street corners,
and homes.
Description: Fluorescent lamps are sealed glass tubes
that contain small amounts of mercury (an essential
component), inert gas, and phosphor powder
coated along the inside of the tubes. Fluorescent
lamps are highly efficient, using electric discharge
through low-pressure mercury vapour to produce
ultraviolet (UV) energy.
Identification: Fluorescent lamps generally range
in diameter from 2.54 to 3.81 centimetres (1 to 1.5
inches); and in length from 0.61 to 2.44 meters (2 feet
to 8 feet). Mercury-reduced fluorescent lamps can
have a green band or writing at the ends.
Mercury Vapour Lamps
Use: Mercury vapour lamps are frequently found
in several high intensity discharge (HID) lamp
applications. They are used as farmyard lights, for
street lighting and general floodlighting, and in
parking lots.
Description: The lamp consists of a glass envelope
with a pinched quartz glass tube and various metal
electrodes within. An electronic current is passed
through to form an arc to display light.
Identification: Light emission is identifiable by a bluish
glow. The quality of colour rendition is not as good as
metal halide or high-pressure sodium vapour lamps.
Metal Halide Lamps
Use: Metal halide lamps are used to light sport
stadium fields and other areas where a very bright
light is required.
Description: Metal halide lamps are the brightest
light available and are frequently found in several
HID applications. They offer better lighting than
mercury or sodium vapour lamps. Metal halide lamps
can take up to 5 minutes to light up after being
switched on; or 20 minutes if turned off and on again
(ignition and restrike). This light emits a bright white
light close in quality to incandescent lamps. Lights
must be matched up with ballasts. These lamps
are not interchangeable with other high intensity
discharge (HID) (Florida Power and Light, 2003).
Identification: Consists of glass envelope with
a pinched quartz glass tube and various metal
electrodes within. An electronic current is passed
through to form an arc and then a light display.
Sodium Vapour Lamps
Use: Sodium Vapour lamps are economical
high intensity discharge (HID) lamps used for street
lighting and general floodlighting and
in parking lots.
Description: Sodium vapour lamps consist of a
glass envelope with a pinched quartz glass tube
and various metal electrodes within. An electronic
current is passed through to form an arc and then a
light display. There are two general models of sodium
vapour lamps: high-pressure sodium (70-1000 watts)
and low-pressure sodium (35-180 watts) (Lamptech,
2003).
Identification: Light emission is identifiable by a
yellowish glow.
13

Appendix II : What to do when a
mercury-containing lamp breaks.
If you break a Mercury
Containing Lamp follow these
directions for clean-up:
Leave the room
XXRemove people and pets from the room and
keep them out of the room during the clean-up
process.
XXAvoid stepping on any broken glass.
Ventilation
XXVentilate the room for at least 15 minutes prior
to starting clean-up by opening windows and
doors to the outdoors. This will ensure that
mercury vapour levels are reduced before you
start cleaning.
Clean-up Directions for Hard
and Carpeted Surfaces
XXDo not use a vacuum to clean up the initial
breakage, as it will spread the mercury vapour
and dust throughout the area and may
contaminate the vacuum.
XXWear disposable gloves, if available, to avoid
direct contact with mercury and to prevent cuts.
XXScoop or sweep up the broken pieces
and debris with two pieces of stiff paper or
cardboard. Do not use a broom.
XXUse sticky tape, such as duct tape or masking
tape, to pick up any remaining fine glass or
powder.
XXWipe the area with a damp paper towel, cloth
or disposable wet wipe to remove any residual
particles.
XXPlace the broken glass and clean-up materials in
a glass container with a tight fitting lid to further
minimize the release of mercury vapour.
Carpeting - Steps to Take After
the Initial Clean-up
XXIf the rug is removable, take it outside, shake and
air it out for as long as is practical.
XXThe first time you vacuum on installed carpet
after the clean-up, shut the door to the room
or close off the area as much as possible and
ventilate the room in which the lamp was
broken by opening the windows and doors
to the outside. When the vacuuming is done,
remove the bag, wipe the vacuum with
a damp paper towel, cloth or disposable
wet wipe, and then place the vacuum bag
and paper towel in a sealed plastic bag
outside. In the case of a canister vacuum,
wipe the canister out with a wet paper towel
and dispose of the towel as outlined above.
Continue to ventilate the room for 15 minutes
once the vacuuming is completed.
Broken Lamps inside a box
XXWhen a broken mercury containing lamp is
discovered in a box seal the box with tape if
possible while still containing the broken glass
inside the box.
XXDo not attempt to remove the broken glass
indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.
XXMove the box outdoors in a secure area, and
arrange to have the glass disposed of with other
mercury containing lamps that are intact.
Disposal
XXImmediately place waste material outside of the
building in a protected area.
XXDispose of the waste along with other mercury
containing lamps as soon as possible. Check the
off-site disposal plan.
Washing
XXWash your hands after storing and disposing
of waste.
14

References
I. Tchobanaglous George, Theisen Hilary,
Vigil Samuel. INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE
MANAGEMENT Engineering Pinciples and
Management Issues. Irwin McGraw-Hill,
1993, p. 41
II. Environment Canada, 2010-06-03. Products
that Contain Mercury/ Fluorescent Lamps.
Viewed online on January 16, 2012 at
www.ec.gc.ca/mercure-mercury/default.
asp?lang=En&n=2486B388-1
III. How Stuff Works 2005, How Fluorescent
Lamps Work website, viewed online on Jan
11,2012 at:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/
fluorescent-lamp2.htm
IV. Environment Canada, Technical
Recommendations Document on the
Management of End-of-life Mercurycontaining
Lamps in Canada. Viewed online
on January 12, 2012 at:
www.ec.gc.ca/mercure-mercury/default.asp?
lang=En&n=5CA51DB2&offset=1&toc=show
V. SWANA, Promoting Mercury-Containing Lamp
Recycling: a Guide for Waste Managers.
Viewed online on January 12, 2012 at:
www.swana.org/extra/lamp/lropmanualfinal.pdf
VI. CANADA WIDE STANDARD for MERCURY-
CONTAINING LAMPS Endorsed by CCME
Council of Ministers, April 30-May 1, 2001,
Winnipeg: Also available online at:
www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/
merc_lamp_standard_e.pdf
VII. Environment Canada, 2010-06-02. Mercury
and Human Health. Viewed online on January
16, 2012 at:
www.ec.gc.ca/mercure-mercury/default.
asp?lang=En&n=0EB35C98-1
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www.ec.gc.ca/mercure-mercury/
default.asp?lang=En&n=D64997D2-1
IX. GNWT 1998, Guideline for Industrial Waste
Discharges in the NWT. Also available online at:
www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/documents/content/
industrial_waste_guidelines.pdf
X. GNWT 1998. Guideline for the General
Management of Hazardous Waste in the
NWT. Also available online at:
www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/documents/content/
General_management.pdf
XI. CANADA WIDE STANDARD for MERCURY-
CONTAINING LAMPS Endorsed by CCME
Council of Ministers, April 30-May 1, 2001,
Winnipeg: Also available online at:
www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/
merc_lamp_standard_e.pdf
XII. National Lighting Product Information
Program, Viewed online on January 23, 2012:
www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/Futures/
LF-LampDisposal/index.asp
XIII. National Lighting Product Information
Program, Viewed online on January 23, 2012:
www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/
lightinganswers/t8/05-t8-lamp-life.asp
XIV. SWANA, Promoting Mercury-Containing Lamp
Recycling: a Guide for Waste Managers.
Viewed online on January 23, 2012:
www.swana.org/extra/lamp/lropmanualfinal.pdf
(page 48)
XV. Association of Lighting and Mercury
Recyclers, Education and Resources. Viewed
online on January 17, 2012 at:
www.almr.org/resources.html
XVI. Environment Canada, 2010-06-03. Products
that Contain Mercury/ Fluorescent Lamps.
Viewed online on January 16, 2012 at
www.ec.gc.ca/mercure-mercury/
default.asp?lang=En&n=2486B388-1
15